adj
Uncommon
discrete
dih-SKREET
Discrete (adj) means Separate and distinct from other things, rather than continuous or connected. Example: “The project was broken down into several discrete stages.”
adj
1
Separate and distinct from other things, rather than continuous or connected.
"a government with three discrete divisions"
"The project was broken down into several discrete stages."
"Each department operates as a discrete unit within the company."
"It's not that there aren't measurable, quantifiable differences between all these categories we impose upon things, it's just that for the most part they fit not into discrete units, but into a continuum."
— Adam Rutherford, A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived (2017)
How to use discrete
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishClearly separate or distinct, not blended with anything else.
Common mistake
Frequently confused with "discreet" (tactful, careful about privacy) — they sound identical but mean very different things.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
discrete units
discrete steps
discrete values
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like discrete.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Comparative
- more discrete
- Superlative
- most discrete
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The project was broken down into several _____ stages.
Etymology
From Latin discretus, "separated," the same root as "discreet" — the two words split apart in spelling and meaning over time.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for discrete
See all rhymes for discrete →Frequently asked questions
What does “discrete” mean?
The word “discrete” means separate and distinct from other things, rather than continuous or connected. In plain terms, clearly separate or distinct, not blended with anything else.
How do you pronounce “discrete”?
“Discrete” is pronounced dih-SKREET (/dɪˈskɹit/ in IPA).
How do you use “discrete” in a sentence?
Here is “discrete” used in a sentence: “The project was broken down into several discrete stages.”
What is the opposite of “discrete”?
The opposite of “discrete” — its antonyms — are continuous, integrated and multiplexed.
What part of speech is “discrete”?
“Discrete” is an adjective.
Where does the word “discrete” come from?
The word “discrete” comes from Latin. From Latin discretus, "separated," the same root as "discreet" — the two words split apart in spelling and meaning over time.
Is “discrete” a common word?
“Discrete” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between discrete and discreet?
Discrete and discreet are commonly confused homophones with different meanings: discrete means separate and distinct, as in discrete categories, while discreet means careful or unobtrusive in behavior, as in being discreet about a secret. Mixing them up is one of the most frequent spelling errors in English.
What does discrete mean in mathematics or data contexts?
In mathematics and data contexts, discrete describes values or units that are separate and countable rather than continuous, such as discrete data points or discrete variables, as opposed to a continuous range of values. This technical use is common in statistics and computer science.
Is discrete the correct spelling for describing tactful behavior?
No, the correct spelling for tactful or careful behavior is discreet, not discrete. Discrete only refers to things being separate or distinct, so using it for tactfulness is a common but incorrect substitution.
